Deborah Stephens Minnis

Deborah Stephens Minnis is a shareholder with the firm, her practice includes labor and employment law and she also represents various local government bodies. She regularly represents and advises management clients in employment discrimination matters including the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Pregnancy Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, Title VII, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and other civil rights acts, as well as, state law employment tort claims. She has practice experience as a management consultant and as a litigator in judicial, administrative, and appellate forums. Prior to joining Ausley McMullen Deborah worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Florida. She also taught as adjunct professor at the Florida State University College of Law. Awards and Honors Honors Florida Trend, Legal Elite, 2012 AV Preeminent – Martindale Hubbell

• Shareholder

• Florida State University College of Law, Adjunct Professor, 2003 - Present
• State of Florida, Assistant Attorney General, 1985 - 1991
• Gadsden County School Board, General Counsel
• Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners, General Counsel

• Florida Dental Association Convention, June 2021 – Presenter – “Contracts-What am I signing”
• Florida Dental Association Convention, June 2021 – Presenter “I’m in Charge of What?"
• Florida Dental Association – Presenter - "Harassment in the Workplace" – April 2016
• Florida Veteran’s Preference 2017
• CCBG – “Isn’t Florida an Employment At-Will State” – Presenter – July 2017

• Martin v. Department of Economic Opportunity – Defense Summary Judgment granted in a multi-count discrimination case.
• Mullings v. Leon County School Board -Zero Jury Verdict in student injury case.
• Presha v. Leon County School Board – Litigated and managed resolution of district-wide class action suit relating to suit for minimum wage and overtime
• Working with employers in drafting and revising employment handbooks, policies and procedures
• Training of and consulting with employers on properly classifying employees under the exemptions to overtime and other provisions under the Fair Labor Standards Act
• Providing training and consultation for employer on the Family and Medical Leave Act
• Consulting with employers on employee discipline and terminations

• Tallahassee Bar Association
• Board of Directors, Legal Aid Foundation, past treasurer, secretary and vice president
• Former member, Civil Justice Reform Act Committee
• Second Judicial Circuit Gender Bias Study Commission
• Tallahassee Women Lawyers Association, past president, board of directors
• Adjunct Professor, Florida State University College of Law, 2003
• Tallahassee Memorial Foundation Board of Directors (Chair 2020-2022)
• Tallahassee Memorial Health Care Board of Directors (Ex-Officio)
• Florida Board of Bar Examiners (2015-2020)
• Northern District Examination Committee
• Leadership Tallahassee Board of Governors (1996-1997)
• Leadership Tallahassee Class X
• Coordinator and host for the Northern District Court Naturalization Ceremony (1993-2003)

• Florida, 1985
• U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 1985
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida